The Emergency Services department has finished up a busy year for FY08. Between July 2007 and June 2008, we proudly served the five-county region with the tremendous support of our volunteers.

As we near the end of summer, it's hard to believe another fiscal year has passed.

Gail J. McGovern, a successful business executive and proven nonprofit fundraiser, took the reins as National President and CEO of the American Red Cross on June 23, 2008.

In the aftermath of recent floods in the Midwest, the American Red Cross provided more than 13,000 shelter stays, 385,000 meals and 52,000 cleanup kits. Helping with that enormous task were 19 responders from our Southeastern PA Chapter.

In June, we responded to 50 local disasters, helping 247 people with emergency food, clothing and shelter. We would not have been able to assist those hundreds of clients in need without the help of the 149 volunteers and staff who responded when called day or night.

Our Red Cross responders are always there for people in need. As part of our continuing effort to improve service to clients, we provide the following tips based on feedback from recent responses.

Since it became a formal component of the national American Red Cross Disaster Services in 1992, the Disaster Mental Health (DMH) team has relied upon the efforts of licensed mental health professionals drawn from the fields of social work, counseling, psychiatry, psychology, psychiatric nursing and marital family therapy.

Ten Spiritual Care volunteers gathered at SEPA chapter to observe the pilot presentation of the chapter-developed American Red Cross Spiritual Care Training. Drew Alexander, veteran Spiritual Care team member and Delaware County DAT captain, led the training.

Reaching out to key member agencies and networks, Southeastern Pennsylvania Voluntary Agencies Active in Disasters (SEPA VOAD) convened its Advisory Council on July 21, 2008.

Emergency Services welcomes staff that will be key to accomplishing the Red Cross mission.

While already active as a volunteer with other organizations, I didn't put the Red Cross on my "A" list until my husband Dan made it his priority following his retirement. I decided to join him in his coursework and found the mission of the Red Cross had increasing appeal.